A Splash of Lemon
Winter round these parts usually means short days, long nights and inclement weather which makes for a tough time for us photographers. So here’s a photo project that you can take at any time and whatever the weather.
The technique makes use of a single flash to freeze the moment a slice of lemon splashes into a glass of water. No flash? Well you might be able to do this with a super bright light but to hit the really fast shutter speeds needed to freeze the action you’ll need to bump up your ISO and open up the aperture. Flash really is the way to go as you’ll get sharper shots with a bigger depth of field and be able to use a nice low ISO.
I’m using glass “ice cubes” real ones are fine but they will float. So either pack them in tight or use a bigger, heavier piece of lemon (other fruit slices can be used too). Alternatively lose the ice and use fizzy water, the idea is simply to put some texture in the glass and how you do that is up to you.
Equipment used in this video (Links to Adorama)
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom V5 Software, Windows and Mac OS
Canon EOS 60D Digital SLR Camera
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM AutoFocus Wide Angle Telephoto Zoom Lens
Enlight photo Frio Universal Locking Cold Shoe V2
Canon RS-60 E3 Remote Switch (2′) for Canon Sub-Mini (E3)
Flashpoint Universal Swivel Holder -Umbrella holder
Vanguard Alta Pro 284 Carbon Tripod with SBH-100 Ball Head
Another great and simple video to follow with great results. Thanks Gav, and BTW you may want to recharge your camera battery lol.
Great video – simple yet effective.
Worth mentioning that you should also turn off the lens IS when using a tripod as this can introduce unwanted blur in the shot. IS is clearly still on at 3min 20sec when you lock the focus to manual…!!
Thanks for the comment Kevin. Please take a minute to read my post Five Myths About Image Stabilisation, especially no.2 https://www.gavtrain.com/?p=2571
The Canon 24-105L I.S. system is tripod aware but more then that, with an effective shutter speed of 1/4000th sec I.S. doesn’t have any effect (good or bad). So in the real world leaving the I.S. on or off is both correct 🙂
Thanks Gavin. As always, an informative and enjoyable video.
Cheers
Shane
Thanks Shane 🙂
I really enjoy Gavin’s tutorials. I hope he keeps them up. he also has an nice easy voice to listen to. Thanks a lot.
Hi Gavin,
thank you for that video. Although I consider myself a beginner, I think the result is ok.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/qfq23v83jg6rgqh/Glas.jpg
Now I know, why you are using glas-cubes. Ice cubes are swimming 🙂
I do not have a folding background – but the wall in my living room seemed ok for me.
Greetings
Matthias
An excellent video tutorial as usual Mr Hoey, I did have issues with all the ice cubes floating at the top so in the end took them out as was not getting enough splash, then realised how important it is to have a towel to hand! Can you get those artificial ice cubes in the UK?
Ebay is your friend when looking for props. Also try fizzy water for an alternative 🙂
Hi, great tut where do you exactly focus on? The upper part of the glass?
Thank you
That’s some good info re the flash power – I did not know if the flash only is on a low per setting it fires faster! Great for bird photography when the bird is about to land!
Gavin,
You are easy to learn from.
Yourself and Bryan are my favorites!…Keep it going.
Hi Gavin
Thank you for this. It’s the second time I’ve watched it, the first five mins are so explanatory I can’t begin to thank you enough
The remainder of it, invaluable
Thank you
And I am Tom Nordahl and thank you for making all your great tutorials:)
Some time ago, on Strobist, I came across a splendid publication “Light, Science and Magic”. I don’t know if you familiar with the book, but if you are not, look it up. You will never have to don a black shirt to get dark edges on glass and water. You will also be able to get light edges on dark glass and water.
Tom
Greatings from Portugal!
First of all thanks for all your lessons! Have been learning a lot with them!
Now just wondered what you used as a base for the cup.
It’s a gloss white floor tile 🙂
Hey Gavin, nice to meet u at NEC today, sorry to burst in on your chat with Eric, loving your site btw. Going straight on to favourites. All the best.
Alan.
Another great video, and thanks for so many easy to do (relatively!) photo ideas.
Hello from France,
I am French photographer and I discovered your Web site by surfing. It is always very interesting to see how our colleagues works. I have to say bravo and thank you for this knowledge sharing.
I always say ” The knowledge is useful only if it is transmitted !
Vincent, wedding and studio photographer .
Hi Gavin,
Thanks for again an excellent tutorial!
Here’s my shot:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/s-sallaerts-photography/16630654061/
Greetings from Belgium!
Steven, amateur photographer
Excellent tutorial Gavin!
I had a go at this and got fantastic results!
Here is my photo https://www.facebook.com/833439193347228/photos/pb.833439193347228.-2207520000.1428186984./949394768418336/?type=3&theater
Your videos are always clear, easy to follow and right to the point!
Look forward to your next one!
Ricky.
Thanks Gavin for all these tutorials, you are my favorite resource on YouTube for all things flash. I bought a RoveLight 600b because of your Red Riding Hood shoot.
Here is my attempt at this activity,
https://instagram.com/p/4udV9CmvVP/?taken-by=kjsdesign
The only edit I did was crop it, otherwise it’s straight out of camera.
Keep the vids flowing, they’re so clear and make learning fun!